Release Detail

October 14, 1999 - Connecticut Voters Back Public Money For Campaigns,
Quinnipiac College Poll Finds;
Lieberman Looks Unstoppable For Reelection

Connecticut voters support 52 - 39 percent using public funds to pay for the campaigns
for all candidates for legislative and statewide offices, according to a Quinnipiac College Poll
released today. Republican voters split 44 - 44 percent on the measure, while Democrats
support it 58 - 32 percent and independent voters support it 54 - 39 percent.

A total of 70 percent of Connecticut voters say public funding of campaigns would be
"very effective" or "somewhat effective" in reducing the influence of special interests in
politics, while 27 percent say the measure would not be very effective or not effective at all.

Campaign contributions influence the policies supported by elected officials a great
deal, 68 percent of voters tell the independent Quinnipiac College Poll, while 27 percent say
contributions have a moderate influence on public policy.

"There is clearly the perception, held by more than two-thirds of voters, that money
buys a great deal of influence with elected officials," said Quinnipiac College Poll Director
Douglas Schwartz.

"Recent corruption scandals may have led to increased support for public financing of
campaigns, a proposal which has failed in the past."

And the leader is U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who goes into a reelection year with a 73
- 16 percent approval rating, with similar support from Republicans, Democrats and
independent voters.

While no opponent is mentioned, 32 percent of Connecticut voters say they definitely
will vote for Lieberman in November, 2000, while 39 percent say they probably will vote for
him; 12 percent say they probably will vote for someone else and 7 percent say they definitely
will vote for someone else.

"A lot can happen in 13 months, but Sen. Lieberman looks unbeatable in his bid for
reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2000. A total of 71 percent of Connecticut voters say they will
definitely or probably vote for Lieberman next year," Schwartz said.

"No wonder there are no Republicans lining up to take him on."

From October 5 - 11, Quinnipiac College surveyed 1,170 Connecticut voters, with a
margin of error of +/- 2.9 percent.

The Quinnipiac College Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey
and Connecticut as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Rowland is handling his job
as Governor of Connecticut?

June 24
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999

Approve 63% 81% 56% 61% 61% 65% 67%

Disapprove 25 12 34 26 28 23 26

DK/NA 12 7 10 13 11 12 7

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his
job as United States Senator?

June 24
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999

Approve 73% 73% 77% 72% 71% 74% 71%

Disapprove 16 14 12 19 19 13 19

DK/NA 11 12 11 9 9 13 10

3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Dodd is handling his
job as United States Senator?

June 24
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999

Approve 70% 58% 85% 67% 66% 73% 65%

Disapprove 22 34 9 24 28 17 25

DK/NA 8 8 5 10 6 10 10

21. How likely is it that you will vote to reelect Joseph Lieberman for
United States Senator next year? Do you think you will definitely vote for
Lieberman, probably vote for Lieberman, probably vote for someone else, or
definitely vote for someone else?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Definitely vote for
Lieberman 32% 26% 41% 30% 31% 33%

Probably vote for
Lieberman 39 41 38 40 39 39

Probably vote for
someone else 12 16 9 12 13 12

Definitely vote for
someone else 7 8 4 9 10 5

DK/NA 10 9 9 9 8 11

I would like to ask you a few questions about the way candidates raise money
to run for the state legislature and statewide offices.

41. In order to eliminate the funding of campaigns by large private
donations and organized interest groups, do you favor or oppose the state
government creating a special fund to pay for the campaigns for all
candidates?

Mar 3
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Favor 52% 44% 58% 54% 54% 51% 47%

Oppose 39 44 32 39 39 39 47

DK/NA 9 12 10 7 7 10 6

42. Suppose private contributions to political campaigns were eliminated
and the government funded political campaigns. How effective do you think
such a system would be in reducing the influence of special interests in
politics - Very effective, somewhat effective, not very effective, or not
effective at all?

Mar 3
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997

Very effective 28% 28% 30% 27% 29% 27% 19%

Smwht effective 42 38 45 43 42 42 43

Not very effective 16 19 14 14 14 17 19

Not effective at all 11 12 6 13 12 10 16

DK/NA 3 3 4 3 2 4 4

43. How much do you think large campaign contributions influence the
policies supported by elected officials? Would you say they influence
elected officials a great deal, a moderate amount, not much, or not at all?